http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/missouride_1970.mp3
The Democratic National Convention began last night with speeches from former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. As KSMU's Missy Shelton reports from Boston, Missouri's delegates had prime seats on the convention floor.
STEPPING INTO THE CONVENTION HALL FOR THE FIRST TIME IS AN OVERWHELMING EXPERIENCE FOR SOME OF THE FOLKS FROM MISSOURI.
DOUG BROOKS, A DELEGATE FROM JOPLIN, IS ATTENDING HIS FOURTH CONVENTION.
HE SAYS THE SEATS MISSOURI'S DELEGATES HAVE THIS YEAR AREN'T BAD.
MISSOURI'S 88 DELEGATES ARE SITTING TO THE LEFT OF THE STAGE.JUST BEHIND NORTH DAKOTA DELEGATES.
THE PRIME POSITIONING IMPRESSED FIRST TIME DELEGATE JON HAGLER.
THAT'S MISSOURI DELEGATE REGI BUMGARNER...THIS IS THE FIRST CONVENTION THE FORDLAND RESIDENT HAS ATTENDED.HE SAYS HE KNOWS WHY HE AND THE OTHER DELEGATES HAVE SUCH GREAT SEATS.
THE GOOD SEATS COME AS NO SURPRISE TO SPRINGFIELD RESIDENT JOE CARMICHAEL.HE SERVES ON THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE.HE SAYS LEADERS IN THE NATIONAL PARTY KNOW MISSOURI IS KEY TO WINNING IN NOVEMBER.
AND CARMICHAEL SAYS BOTH PARTIES KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF MISSOURI IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.
PRESIDENT BUSH IS SCHEDULED TO VISIT SPRINGFIELD THIS FRIDAY.
CARMICHAEL SAYS HE EXPECTS KERRY AND EDWARDS TO VISIT SPRINGFIELD THIS FALL.
KERRY AND EDWARDS WEREN'T IN BOSTON MONDAY NIGHT FOR THE OPENING OF THE CONVENTION.
INSTEAD, THE FEATURED SPEAKERS WERE FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON AND HIS WIFE SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON.
REGI BUMGARNER AND HIS WIFE LEESA WERE THRILLED TO HEAR FROM THE CLINTONS.
THE CONVENTION CONTINUES THIS EVENING WITH SPEECHES FROM MISSOURI CONGRESSMAN DICK GEPHARDT AND MEMBERS OF JOHN KERRY'S FAMILY."